Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard [SPOILER FREE]

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

So where do I start with this fantasy-filled book? Umm let me just throw out a couple of words out there! Amazing, Fantastic, Surprising, Enthralling. I was not expecting to like Red Queen as much as I do. I think I've found something other to obsess over than Throne of Glass, which you guys know is one of my favorite books to date! Right now just saying: READ THE RED QUEEN or don't bother reading any other fantasy book (ouch! That sounded kind of harsh). Ohh god it's such a perfect book I'm so glad it turned out the way I wanted it to be!!!

Let's start with the biggest thing in this book: world-building. Because the synopsis of this book sets up for this promising and action-packed plot of an amazing story, we better get some awesome world building. Well Victoria Aveyard really hit it spot on with this one. Really definining the fine line between the Red and Silver-blooded people. The Reds live in the slums where they have no healers, are conscripted into war without choice, and barely have any jobs to provide their families with food and shelter. It was so heartfelt, in fact, enough to really make me pity them and feel so broken and sad inside. The Silvers with their palaces, royal buffets, and an endless amount of clothing. Not to mention that they had healers who could heal them from just about every scratch (well not death :P)

If you asked me why I would recommend this book I'd mostly say because of the ingenious plot-building. Aveyard damn well knows how to tell a story and spin you around a web until you think somethings going to happen but then it doesn't. And the characters that you least expect to die, do. I was definitely intrigued at first by the synopsis because it was rare for a girl to be red-blooded but gifted with powers and it was interesting to see how Aveyard really weaved together this brand new species.

Characters. We have a slight love triangle in the beginning but I like how the author made it very clear in the end who she was going to end up with and not leave it hanging or for argument in the second book. Her female character was so similar to Celaena Sardothien from the Throne of Glass series, in fact, they could be twins! Very strong-willed and always willing to stick her nose in the safety of the people she loves. Our male characters are handsome and charming, as always. And the villains are evil and narcissistic and just the way I like it! I swear this book is literally perfect in execution! GIVE ME THE SECOND BOOK! GIVE IT TO ME! I'm so sad that this book was just published and therefore the second book won't be coming anytime soon, will it?

If you LOVE fantasy, and I mean love and you're eager for something that you'll finish in just a couple of hours, pick up Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. An engaging tale, meaningful characters, and a cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more is on the way...

For fans of: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas , Rebel Belle by Rachael Hawkins, The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz

18 comments

I don't think I really want to try this out. I know that you loved it but the synopsis really put me off. I've read a good bit of fantasy (mostly adult, admittedly) and the amount of times I've seen a plot like "poor girl/boy gets special powers to change the world" is actually obscene. If I see this in my library I'll pick it up but the basic plot seems to clichéd to interest me. Great review though!

Aw, I'm glad that you loved this book - the fantasy elements and the ending was fantastic but I wasn't the biggest fan of it, it sounded like something I have read before. I did enjoy it as well though! Loved your review though :) x Benish | Feminist Reflections

Omg! I am glad you liked this book so much, I have heard nothing but good reviews on this one and I have been dying to start it. I got the book the day it came out but haven't gotten to it yet because of other reads I have prioritized to read first. I think I am going to have to hide this book away from myself to keep from reading it. Such a good review!

I've wanted to pick this up ever since I read the blurb, and I'm so glad that you found it worth reading! I also really love how symbolic the cover looks; it has this simplicity that some other YA novel covers don't have.

I am glad to see such a positive review! Lately I have seen so many negative ones because everyone felt like the pacing was off and that it borrowed from too many already popular books. But this review gives me faith that it still might be worth me trying. Good review!

yes, do give it a try because it is very much worth the read. Now that you've mentioned that, I do notice that this book did take some elements from The Hunger Games and Throne of Glass. That's why I kind of recommended it to people who enjoyed Throne of Glass. I really hope you give it a try lmfao!

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FTC Disclaimer

Any books that are reviewed on this site are either gifted to me, won in a giveaway, or purchased. All reviews are honest, and are not swayed by anything. I will note if the books have been gifted or won. Most pictures or clip art have been taken off of Google or somewhere else if said otherwise. Said pictures are not mine, and I do not hold ownership over them unless stated otherwise.